Where I Belong - R.V.Elliott

 

Chapter 74 

I couldn't believe he was still in bed when I woke up. Could say I wasn't expecting him to still be here, I thought he'd have been away taking care of business like always. Poking his side I moved my hand away quickly when he started to move. 

What? I needed to pee and he needed to help me. I still found it tricky to operate with these casts. 

Justam as I was about to poke him again he rolled over onto his back his eyes peeling open. "Well ain't you a pretty sight to see first thing in the morning" He smirked leaning over and kissing my lips gently. "Morning beautiful" Leaning his back against the headboard he stretched a loud groan falling from his lips. 

"Morning" I grinned "Sleep well?" I asked knowing fine well he did. 

"Like a baby I haven't slept that good in years" He smiled scratching the back of his head. "You hungry? I could take you out for breakfast?". 

Still wasn't used to this whole 'giving us a proper go' and him making an effort. 

"Starving but I really have to pee can you help me?" Pushing back the covers I swungiy my legs over the side of the bed. "I really can't wait for these to come off". Truth be told I was dying to have a good scratch. There was only so much relief I could get from sticking a ruler down my cast. 

"Trust me baby me either" He smirked picking me up bridal style and carrying me to the bathroom. 

"A simple arm around the shoulder would have done" I smiled rolling my eyes. Any excuse just to have me in his arms but I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it. 

"No chance" He grinned turning on the shower. I couldn't fully take a shower yet but I still managed to sit on the end of the bath and have a wash. 

"Gonna go catch up with your old man I'll be back before you need me" Dropping a kiss on my cheek he left me to get on with it. 

Just as I had finished wrapping the towel around my body my mom walked into the bathroom. 

"Need any help A?" She asked coming to my side and taking a hold of my arm. "They're in church, Blaze told me you were in here so I thought you'd need some help". 

Helping me back into the bedroom I took a seat on the edge of the bed. "That explains why he didn't come back. Do you know how long they're going to be?" I asked 

"I don't baby but you know what it's like" She smiled "What have you got planned for today?" 

"Blaze is taking me for breakfast and then I have to go pick up some work from the hospital. What are you doing? Where's my handsome little guy been hiding?" I smiled feeling like I hadn't seen my little brother in ages. 

"He's sleeping" She grinned "Its all he ever does sleeps and eats. He's exactly like you were when you were that age. He's getting so big already Ava". 

I knew my mom had a lot of love for the both of us. Her eyes lit up every time she spoke about us. She wasn't a bad mom she never has been and if it wasn't for her god knows what I'd have turned into. 

"So you and Blaze?" She smirked 

Nodding my head yes she took a seat next to me on the bed. Taking my hand in hers she laced our fingers. "Are the both of you going to try this time?" She asked. I knew she was only worried about me and she was my mom so I was expecting it. 

"I've finally dropped my barrier and we're both going to try and make it work this time. I want to make it work and so does he. It feels different this time I can't explain it". 

"You know he didn't leave your side in that hospital not once". 

"I know" I whispered 

"He does seem to really love you Ava and sometimes that's hard to come by baby. I'm just making sure you're all in this time". 

What was she getting at? 

"Mom I know what I'm doing we're giving it a proper go now can we please stop talking about it?". 

"I just don't want you to get hurt again Ava...." 

"I thought you wanted me to be with Blaze?" I asked starting to get annoyed. 

"I do I just want you to be careful I don't want you to go through what you did the last time. I'm sorry for interfering in your life Ava but I just want my happy girl back". 

Sighing I squeezed her hand gently "I'm doing good mom and for once I feel happy with being here. Stop worrying so much about me I can take care of myself". 

"I'll always worry about you and you're a Mendez of course you can take care of yourself" She winked getting to her feet. "I'm going to put on some coffee would you like 

some?". 

"Please" I answered just as Blaze walked in with 2 mugs in his hand. 

"Looks like you bet me too it" My mom smiled "Let me know when you're leaving I need you to grab me a few things when your out". 

Handing me my coffee I brought the cup to my nose inhaling deeply. There was no better smell than fresh coffee in the morning. 

"Anything else planned for today?" He asked leaning against the chest of drawers. 

"After breakfast could you take me to the hospital I have a few things I need to grab". 

"Sure thing sweets let me grab a shower and then I'm all yours". 

"You seriously need to stop buying and taking me out to eat" I sighed rubbing at my stomach. I was burst and currently sporting a food baby. 

Laughing he signalled right and moved out onto the main road. "Ain't nothing sexier to me than a woman than can eat" He growled. 

Rolling my eyes the rest of the car journey was peaceful. I was starting to get bored hence the reason I was going to get some work to do at home. I still couldn't do much and there was only so much television I could bare. 

"You staying here for a bit?" He asked pulling into the hospital car park. 

"Pick me up at 11.30?" I smiled. That gave me a hour of not having to stare at the same 4 walls back in the clubhouse. 

"I have something to take care of but I'll be here 11.30 sharp. We do have somewhere to be at 12 remember". 

Did we? Nate.... how could I have forgot? 

"I'll be out sharp now park as close to the front entrance as you can get" I grinned 

"Damn so that means I can't carry you?" He smirked stopping right at the front entrance. 

"No" I said unbuckling my seatbelt. "Ally should be in today so I'll get her to help me to my office if need be". 

My leg had pretty much healed so for the first time I was trying out my crutch. "You sure you'll be alright walking in with that?" He asked opening my door and helping me 

out. 

"I have to try and if something happens I'm in the best place" I grinned. 

Shaking his head he dropped a kiss on my lips "11.30 sharp now get your sexy little ass in there before I pick you up and carry you and I ain't moving till I know you're inside". 

"So protective" I smirked a squeal escaping my mouth as he slapped my bum just as I turned around. 

"11.30" He yelled again causing me to shake my head as I walked inside. Using the crutch wasn't actually bad now that my leg was nearly healed. 

"Hey Ava how are you doing?" Holly asked as I approached the front desk. 

I hadn't seen Holly in a while. 

"I'm doing okay" I smiled "Is Ally working today?" I asked my eyes scanning over the surgery board to see if I could see her name. 

"She's in surgery just now but I'll let her know you're here and get her swapped out. Would you like some help to your office?". 

"No thanks Holly" I smiled giving her a nod before heading off in the direction of my office. Once in the comfort of my chair I leaned back looking around myself. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss being here. Everything that had happened in the last month no last year had been a whirlwind. 

Was I finally happy where I was at in life? Yes for once I could truthfully answer that question. I wasn't pushing everyone away anymore, I didn't have that built up hatred for being around the people that I blamed for everything that had happened. Did I deserve those things that happened to me? No I didn't, no one does but I guess that's life you either let it beat you or you stand up, kick ass and fight back. 

Breaking down and crying is natural, does it mean you're weak? Of course it doesn't and for a while crying was all I seemed to do. I was picking myself up, dusting myself off 

and getting on with my life. 

"I'm so tired" Ally groaned as she burst through the door knocking me out of my thoughts "And I'm starving". Collapsing into the seat across from me she pulled her knees up to her chest resting her head against them. 

She looked deadbeat 

"Have you been to sleep?" I asked already knowing the answer. I didn't know what time she dropped by the clubhouse this morning but I knew it was late. 

"I'm alright I just like to moan" She sighed stretching out her limbs. 

"What happened this morning?" I asked her eyes widening at my question. Well they weren't exactly quiet. 

"You heard that?" She groaned 

"You're lucky it was Blaze that threw you out and not my dad" I grinned "Now what happened?". 

"Just Cage being Cage we got into a fight some idiot wanted to be the hero and Cage thought it was acceptable to beat the guy to a pulp". 

"Fighting about what?"...... 

"Can we talk about this later I need wine if I'm going to speak about him. If you can't already tell we're not exactly on speaking terms". Running a hand down her face she got to her feet. "Please tell me something good. I want to go back to work on a high, I've been a crabbit bitch all morning". 

"I took your advice I finally dropped my guard and let him back in. We're going to give it a proper try this time. No lies, no secrets and no more games". 

"Shut up seriously?" She grinned doing a little happy dance "Your kids are going to be gorgeous I'm a little bit jealous" She laughed causing me to join in. 

"That's a little too fast, we're definitely not at that stage just yet but for once I'm happy Ally. I've finally stopped fighting it and started to go with my gut". 

"Finally I only told you like a million times" She said folding her arms over her chest. "Always go with your gut instinct, I really wish I could stay and chat but I have a lot to get through today. As soon as those casts are off we're having a girls night. I really have to go I'll see you soon" Blowing me a kiss she left my office with a spring in her 

step. 

Rolling my eyes I started to laugh. That girl was crazy and I would be lost without her. Opening the drawer in my desk I pulled out some files I had been curious about before I had my accident. 

I had been sat for the last 20 minutes staring into space. I couldn't concentrate, my mind was on other things Nate being one of them. I had no idea how today was going to pan out. I've never witnessed Blaze and Nate in the same room before but something was telling me it wasn't going to be pleasant. 

"Thought I told you to be out sharp"..... 

Fighting my smile I looked up at him my teeth sinking into my bottom lip. "Oops I must have lost track of time". Placing the files back in my drawer I got to my feet. "And before you ask no you can't carry me out". 

"Damn" He grinned taking my good hand and lacing our fingers. "You get much done?". Locking the door behind us I slipped the key into my pocket. "Couldn't concentrate I did bump into Ally though. Her and Cage aren't speaking you know anything about that?" I asked as we began to walk through the hospital. 

"Haven't seen him babe, I've been with Jared for the last few hours. I'm sure the little fucker will come back with his tail between his legs". 

"Dr Mendez"....... 

"Josh" I smiled feeling a little weird that he used my title instead of calling me Ava. 

"Coming back to work anytime soon?" He asked his eyes going from me to Blaze. Feeling Blaze squeeze my hand I knew we had to get out of there before he lost it. 

"I get my casts off in 2 weeks. I'm booked in to see occupational health the week after and when they give me the all clear I'll be back. If I could come back to work today Josh I would" I smiled gritting my teeth together. Was he trying to get under my skin? 

"Good wouldn't want me stealing your job from under your nose now would we" He smirked glancing at the clipboard he had in his hands. 

Was hend bloody serious? 

Nodding my head I gave him the biggest grin I could. "That'll never happen Josh and do you wanna know why?" I asked slowing moving towards him. 

I could see the colour physical drain from his face when Blaze stood beside him so he couldn't move. 

"Whys that Ava? You're hardly ever here" he said. 

Oh he was brave but I wasn't biting. 

"Because I'm better than you prettyyi boy" I whispered Blaze nudging him out the way as we started to leave. 

"Who does he think he is" I snapped slamming the car door shut behind me. "Does he really think he's going to take my job". 

"He's not going to take your job baby". Starting the engine he handed me a cigarette. "Smoke that and calm down". 

"You did good" I grinned taking the lit cigarette from him. "You kept your cool I'm impressed". 

"You have no idea how much I wanted to take him out" He growled "Little pussy bastard thinks he's better than my old lady. He's a very lucky guy I was 2 seconds away from pulling out my gun". 

"He's changed I mean when I first started he was all over me and now........ 

"Ava" He snapped his hands tightening around the steering wheel. "Don't say that shit when all I want to do is go back in there and put a bullet in his head. It'll be the last time he disrespects my girl". 

"Sorry my inner thoughts become my outer thoughts at times" I sighed passing him the cigarette. "He's really pissed me off by saying that. Does that mean my job is being threatened?". 

"Sweets you're better than him and everyone knows it so stop stressing about work when you aren't even there. I'm sure your job is safe and when you're healthy you'll slip right back into your position". Taking my hand he kissed my knuckles. "Now lets go see what my asshole of a brother wants you for". 

"Yes" I sighed 

"No" He growled 

We had been sat outside the wine bar arguing for the last 10 minutes. 

"He's not going to do anything to me, there is no need for you to come in. I'll tell you everything that gets said when I come back out". 

I had decided it was better if I go in myself. I wasn't ready to witness the both of them knocking lumps out of each other. 

"What if it's a set up?" He snapped "I cant let you go in there on your own". 

Rolling my eyes I took a deep breath "Blaze nothing is going to happen to me. Nate would never hurt me I know that much. Please just let me do this on my own" I begged knowing he was having a battle with himself. 

"Fine but have your phone in your hand at all times. I don't trust him Ava I lost that a while ago" Grabbing my head he forced his lips on mine. "Tell him he touches you I got a nice bullet for him". 

"Stop worrying" Opening the passenger door I got out and made my way across the street and into the bar. 

"Do you have a reservation Miss?" The waiter asked as he approached me. 

A what? I didn't need one the last time. 

"No I don't but-...." 

"Then I'm afraid you can't come in" He replied just as an older gentlemen placed his hand on top of his shoulder. 

Rude..... 

"She doesn't need a reservation Andrew. The lady is here to see Mr Thomas and you will treat her with nothing but respect. Now young lady may I escort you to your table?". 

Ha in your face Andrew. I wanted so badly to stick my tongue out at him. 

Smiling I slipped my arm through the older gentleman's. "Thank you" I grinned as I took the seat he had pulled out for me. The table was secluded and out of eye shot of 

everyone. 

"May I pour you a drink Miss Ava?" He asked holding a bottle of my favourite. Nate must have clued him in right down to knowing my name. 

"Can I just have some water please?" I still wasn't risking drinking any alcohol when I was still on a high dose of antibiotics. 

"Of course. Mr Thomas is running a little late but he promises he won't be much longer" Filling my glass to the top he set the jug back onto the table. "If you need anything in the mean time don't be afraid to call me over. My name is Fred". 

What a lovely old man..... 

I didn't expect Nate to be late not when he was the one that asked me to be here. I get he's a businessman but I have things I could be doing other than sitting in a fancy place wasting time. Feeling my phone vibrate in my hand I rolled my eyes. Why was he texting in capital letters? 

'WHATS GOING ON?' 

'He's not here yet' 

Hitting send I placed my phone on the table only for it to vibrate again. 

Really Blaze....... 

'GET OUT! I DON'T HAVE A GOOD FEELING ABOUT THIS' 

'Stop being dramatic'